Archaeologists were shocked to uncover remains of the lost village of Cadzow so close to the M74 motorway.

They had no idea four buildings and a range of artefacts, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, were buried next to the carriageway.

Kevin Mooney and Warren Bailie are part of an archaeological team hired by Transport Scotland to examine the area earmarked for the motorway extension.

They spent 18 months examining the area before discovering the remains of the village just past junction six.

Archaeologists at work uncovering lost village of Cadzow

Cadzow Village is documented as being in an area close to the Low Parks motte and bailey castle, which is known to have stood on the opposite side of the motorway to where these latest buildings were found.

However, the exact location of the village buildings was not known until now.

Due to road construction, mining and other work over the centuries, the archaeologists expected the remains to be lost.

Kevin said: “It shouldn’t exist here.

“There was excavation previously when they built the services across the road and there were medieval remains found there.

“But we didn’t think remains would have survived this far from the castle.”

Artist impression of lost village of Cadzow

They discovered four structures, two of which were large buildings.

There are no other medieval settlements documented in this part of Lanarkshire, so the archaeologists are confident what they have found is Cadzow.

They also found coins, smoking pipes, pottery and a lead pistol shot.

The shot is believed to have come from an officer who fought at the battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679.

He may have fired it passing through or taken refuge in the area.

In the 14th century Cadzow Village became part of the Parish of Hamilton.

It lay within the estate of the Duke of Hamilton, and would have been abandoned as the Duke encouraged residents to clear off his land.

Kevin said: “This would have been part of the Duke’s estate. They would have cleared the people of the ground.

“Small settlements would have been demolished and the people relocated into Hamilton.”

Kevin and Warren say there are likely to be further village buildings underneath the motorway and that it was potentially home to hundreds of people at its height.

Unfortunately when the M74 was originally built, there was no legislation requiring archaeological examinations of building sites.

Stone marking site of 1000-year-old Netherton Cross

The site where the buildings were found is close to the original site of the Netherton Cross, which was an important religious site in medieval times and there would have been a church there.

The original Celtic Cross was removed and now sits in the grounds of Hamilton Old Parish Church.

A marker stone records the spot where it originally stood and the site will continue to be preserved.

Netherton Cross at Hamilton Old Parish Church

Stones from the Cadzow Village buildings found have now been removed as the motorway is due to be built over the top of the site.

Museums, including those in Hamilton, will now have the opportunity to bid for the artefacts discovered.

And the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel will decide where they will be displayed.

Minister for Transport Keith Brown visited the site today, along with the Hamilton Advertiser and other media.

He thinks the finds are of particular interest to people in Lanarkshire.

He said: “I think it’s fascinating. I’m not from the area but for local people it must be even more fascinating.

“They will know about the Netherton Cross but they may not know there’s an 1000-year-old cobblestone road next to where a new road is being built.”